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market for dressage ponies?

Sep. 5, 2009, 05:48 PM

I fell in love with a 13.2 hh pony. He is morgan x (quarter horse x arab). He is hot off your legs and can do a bit of travers/shouler-in/half pass already after one year under saddle. Had an extended trot with more suspension than my dutch/tb gelding!

If I was to buy him it would be as a resale project. Is there a market for a FEI pony? I am 5'3 or 4, 120lbs and didnt feel like I was too big on him.

Depends on a few things. First would be his training, how well/far it is and the second would be the scores.

There is a market, at the moment, it's leaning towards kids, but there is a definite adult market there if the pony shows and proves talent.

KellyIt is rare to see a rider who is truly passionate about the horse and his training, taking a profound interest in dressage with self-abnegation, and making this extraordinarily subtle work one of the dominant motivations of his life.\"

Comment

A pony that size needs to be very rideable by kids to be marketable. I would not buy one that small that is an off-breed as a resale project. I think the market is too limited. Are you sure he is only 13.2? Because I am 5'5 and 105 and am way too tall for a medium pony.

Comment

A pony that size needs to be very rideable by kids to be marketable. I would not buy one that small that is an off-breed as a resale project. I think the market is too limited. Are you sure he is only 13.2? Because I am 5'5 and 105 and am way too tall for a medium pony.

I'm 5'5" 128# and look fine on my 13.3-14 hh Arabian (Polish/Crabbet)... granted he is built like a tank, and I would wager the little Morgan/Arab/QH the OP mentioned would be a stoutly built sort as well.

\"For all those men who say, \"Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free,\" here\'s an update for you: Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it\'s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.\"-

Comment

But that market really isn't there (at least in the South East) for a small horse or large pony. We had a great, lightly built, registered, 14.1 hand Morgan, schooling at a strong level 2 that my son rode and outgrew. Very well put together, nice, five years old and just a dream horse for a child. We couldn't sell her for for dressage -even with two years with an exceptional dressage teacher working with her and my son. Even when we went to $1000. and I was advertising her, no one even called. We finally just pulled her off the market, because we were getting to the low end of the market where buyers are kind of substandard around here. We had a lot more interest in her as a driving horse than as a dressage prospect.

Comment

I'd have to agree with everyone that the market is not there for strictly dressage ponies. (I'd say dressage with some eventing experience is marketable though.) Absolutely buy and work with this pony if you want to do it for the fun and are okay with sitting on him for a (long) while. I have a 13.3 Welsh. I'm 5'5 and fit him fine. (Shown him a lot and never heard comments otherrwise. Judges usually comment on what a wonderful team we are! I know he handles my size fine by how he moves.) I had him on the market for a year and a half with only 1 inquiry. He's very strong first level, starting second. I think anything under 14 hands is a really tough sell unless it is very kid broke. I've recently decided to stop wasting money on advertising. If someoen comes along, great. Otherwise, I have a blast riding him and will keep him. I also had a 14.2 hand British Riding Pony that I showed third level. He was still a tough sell, but I think more because he had quite a spook in him. I did get a lot more inquiries about him though and many more people to try him out.

Comment

Ditto regarding the market on dressage ponies - just not a huge one around here. There are a few showing in this area but like what everyone else has said, just not a huge following for those under 14 hands. I was given one who is 13 hands because he's not exactly kid friendly (let alone adult friendly). I ride them for my own interests/goals. I have received much more interest in my guys who are closer to 15 hands than those under 14 hands in terms of resale.

\"For all those men who say, \"Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free,\" here\'s an update for you: Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it\'s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.\"-

Comment

Why does it always seem that we are decades behind on this side of the pond? Dressage ponies seem to be much more appreciated in Europe then here... .

The top dressage ponies tend to be on the tall side. In fact, there was a big scandal a few years ago involving cheating on heights - people were showing honies in the FEI pony classes, so they cracked down on the measuring.

In addition, in Europe, even taller riders ride ponies - it is common to see teens on ponies long past when they would be considered outgrown in this country. I think that accounts for part of the reason the market for ponies is stronger.

Comment

Kids over here don't tend to do dressage- they all want to jump. At least at my barn the h/j barns are full of kids, but besides my daughter there are only a couple of others in regular dressage training.

Hey if you look hard enough we do have a few over here..........dressage ponies I mean..............and not lookin' all that different

OK so I'm not as cute or talented as the kid riding the German Riding Pony and my pony isn't as far as long in his training (but my guys is also 6 years younger) but you know that registry got that color from somewhere..............and looking at that pony's pedigree. Not all that different from mine, especially the top line

Ambrey you can add my kid (one of two) to the "just" dressage mix. My son, well, we're still working on him. Jumping and competitve trail seems to hold more excitement for him (and more girls ).

Ranch of Last Resort

Comment

OK so I'm not as cute or talented as the kid riding the German Riding Pony and my pony isn't as far as long in his training (but my guys is also 6 years younger) but you know that registry got that color from somewhere..............and looking at that pony's pedigree. Not all that different from mine, especially the top line

Ambrey you can add my kid (one of two) to the "just" dressage mix. My son, well, we're still working on him. Jumping and competitve trail seems to hold more excitement for him (and more girls ).

psh Exvet, who needs cute?

Most GRP's I find have a ton of Welsh B and D crosses in there. Also not far off from my girl:

Gotta love my facial expressions I hate not having my sunglasses!

KellyIt is rare to see a rider who is truly passionate about the horse and his training, taking a profound interest in dressage with self-abnegation, and making this extraordinarily subtle work one of the dominant motivations of his life.\"

Comment

Most GRP's I find have a ton of Welsh B and D crosses in there. Also not far off from my girl:

Yup. This gal of mine is by Kurbaum's Chief, a section D welsh cob who also is approved, registered and branded GRP. Such a dilemma on what to call her on the entry forms

As for who needs cute? Well those of us considered to be of "old bag" status

I'll see your old bag status, and raise you comeupin' upstartin' yungin!

Call her whatever high point breed ribbons are offered Nine times out of ten the GRP's have the better stuff and the welsh can't even offer a neck sash, let alone a mention in the Review.

KellyIt is rare to see a rider who is truly passionate about the horse and his training, taking a profound interest in dressage with self-abnegation, and making this extraordinarily subtle work one of the dominant motivations of his life.\"

Comment

Call her whatever high point breed ribbons are offered Nine times out of ten the GRP's have the better stuff and the welsh can't even offer a neck sash, let alone a mention in the Review.

Yeah. The WPCSA won't register her even though I managed to track down a copy of her Canadian registration papers. Long story but the hoops to jump through to prove her pedigree especially in the day of DNA testing would be for what? Hee, hee, hee, hee.......unless she were a jumping machine (which she is but I'm not competing her that way) out there on the circuit hob nobbin' with the likes of (the you know who's) there is no point to go to the expense.

No I just list her as half welsh cob and let everyone who asks know the real deal. Even if I had the wherewithal to get her approved with "some" registry she's going to be put to my welsh cob stallion so it's all the same in the end. As long as the market for dressage ponies stays as it is, I'll continue as planned

Ranch of Last Resort

Comment

Yeah. The WPCSA won't register her even though I managed to track down a copy of her Canadian registration papers. Long story but the hoops to jump through to prove her pedigree especially in the day of DNA testing would be for what? Hee, hee, hee, hee.......unless she were a jumping machine (which she is but I'm not competing her that way) out there on the circuit hob nobbin' with the likes of (the you know who's) there is no point to go to the expense.

No I just list her as half welsh cob and let everyone who asks know the real deal. Even if I had the wherewithal to get her approved with "some" registry she's going to be put to my welsh cob stallion so it's all the same in the end. As long as the market for dressage ponies stays as it is, I'll continue as planned

I sympathize. I lost Sinari's papers in a barn fire over a year ago (not her barn, just a separate shed where I keep the majority of my horsey paperwork). I explained the situation to the office and they want 60 bucks to re-issue (even after I furnished copies to prove). Whereas the Arab people only want... 30.

I'll reissue them when I'm good and ready.

Did you catch the new 'Share the welsh' program, which you too can be a member for, at a minimum of 25 bucks and get a keychain!

KellyIt is rare to see a rider who is truly passionate about the horse and his training, taking a profound interest in dressage with self-abnegation, and making this extraordinarily subtle work one of the dominant motivations of his life.\"

Comment

Did you catch the new 'Share the welsh' program, which you too can be a member for, at a minimum of 25 bucks and get a keychain!

Sorry to the OP for hijacking the thread ........................but hee, hee, hee, hee, hee....yes I received the invitation and like all the others it went straight in to the recycling bin.

I think the stagnant, despite constant claims of increasing interest for smaller mounts, dressage pony market is partially due to the apathy of many of the pony breed organizations. So many have "found their niche" and if there are individuals of that breed who excel or succeed in dressage you hear more about it from other mags, venues, outlets than kudos or adverts from that breed organization. Of course in their defense many of the registries are quite small and don't have the budget; but, I hear this tale so much from the WPCSA but there seems to be no end of adverts of the breed in "other" discipline focus pieces including the USEF's mag.

Oh well I know I"m preaching to the choir. Here is how ironic it is. The former owner of my buckskin fellow who is pictured called to get an update yesterday 'cause she heard he had gone to a show. He has his issues and baggage and we're still working on his realiability in order to take him to a recognized show. She would like to see it happen because she knows he has the talent. Well she informs me that NOW there is a welsh cob who's been competing at PSG and Intermediare and will be going to Devon. She asks me, "Isn't it great and now you know someone's paved the way so Morgan can do it too." I informed her that my own welsh cob gelding has already been competing at PSG but I don't have the "team" to put it together and get all the announcements out. I think it's great what Cardi has done and all the focus he draws to the breed but too many have forgotten all those that came before him and there were several. And if you ask yourself why? Mainly because there was no backing, hoop la and many opportunities lost to showcasing the breed as it should have been back in the day. If the owners didn't pay to bring the attention to themselves (or their ponies) it never happened. I bet though there are several even "non hunter pony" people who easily recognize the names of those welsh who graced that venue with any success.

OK thread back on track.....................

Market for small to medium size dressage ponies - not really existent. Large dressage ponies - a bit more interest but still not what it could be.

Ranch of Last Resort

Comment

KellyIt is rare to see a rider who is truly passionate about the horse and his training, taking a profound interest in dressage with self-abnegation, and making this extraordinarily subtle work one of the dominant motivations of his life.\"

Comment

Kids over here don't tend to do dressage- they all want to jump. At least at my barn the h/j barns are full of kids, but besides my daughter there are only a couple of others in regular dressage training.

A pony that size needs to be very rideable by kids to be marketable. I would not buy one that small that is an off-breed as a resale project. I think the market is too limited. Are you sure he is only 13.2? Because I am 5'5 and 105 and am way too tall for a medium pony.

This is the attitude that gets us into trouble, you are NOT too tall for a medium pony, even the tiny ones w/o good bone. I have a good friend that is 5'7" and she rides even smalls for schooling in shows, it's all our whacked perspective. I agree with everything else you said.

In addition, in Europe, even taller riders ride ponies - it is common to see teens on ponies long past when they would be considered outgrown in this country. I think that accounts for part of the reason the market for ponies is stronger.

Definitely, I like their way of thinking, in general not overfacing the kids on big horse they supposedly "look right" on.

Most GRP's I find have a ton of Welsh B and D crosses in there. Also not far off from my girl:

Yup. This gal of mine is by Kurbaum's Chief, a section D welsh cob who also is approved, registered and branded GRP. Such a dilemma on what to call her on the entry forms

You'd better call her Welsh or Welsh cross, drives me NUTS to see someone with a Welshie that is suddenly a "GRP". Approved, maybe, but still doesn't change the breed. I know you *know* this, just sayin'....

Market for small to medium size dressage ponies - not really existent. Large dressage ponies - a bit more interest but still not what it could be.

Ditto this, sorry OP. I do think you should pick up and train this little guy, but make sure you do it for your own satisfaction because I doubt you'd make $$ on it. Of course, I'd loooove for you to prove me wrong.

Comment

Im wondering if the market for this is variable depending on the region as I live on the West Coast and little more than half of the inquiries I receive are Adults looking for Dressage Ponies (bonus for jumping/eventing experience). I know this sounds cooky but my husband is working on his USDF Bronze riding one of our ponies(we have five). The pony has the mind and the talent for Dressage unlike his own horse who lives for Cross Country. They qualified this year for the Regional Adult Amateur Championship as well as the GAIG/USDF & CDS Championships....they were also the CDS high scoring pony at 1st Level last season (age five). Yes, he is definitely outgrown the pony but so far its just not been an issue. This is them...he's a purebred connemara pony.